Hill eyes quarter-finals

Tuesday 9 January 2007 00:12 BST

Delighted Bristol director of rugby Richard Hill insisted his side can reach the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup after outscoring Harlequins three tries to nil in a 17-3 victory that dumped Quins out of the competition.

Two tries in as many minutes from man of the match Alfie To'oalo and Samoan wing David Lemi stunned Dean Richards' side midway through the first half of a rain-soaked match and set the visitors up for their first away win since January.

Hill said: `"It was a long time since we'd won away from home in any competition so it was a very big win for us here. It means a lot for the whole club on and off the field."

He added: "We've won two games now in the Heineken Cup and that's probably two more than we expected but we've got a very realistic chance of putting pressure on the top of the group now.

"Quins play very physically these days and the last time we were here they knocked us about so we fronted up this time. To match them and keep our control and our discipline was very pleasing.''

Luke Arscott added a third try at the start of the second half, with a Danny Care drop goal the only impression Quins made on the scoreboard.

Bristol face the same opposition again next weekend at the Memorial Ground where the Londoners will be playing for nothing more than pride.

Richards admitted: "It is probably the worst we've played in two and a half years which is the most disappointing thing. The players know that and we need to get out of this little rut that we've got ourselves into.

"If they had played badly and not realised it I'd have had licence to have a go at them but there's no point if they know. It's now about how we get them back on track, which is the most important thing."